Author: Wang Jisi
Publisher: Yunnan People’s Publishing House, April 2025

Abstract

This book offers a panoramic reexamination of the Cold War through the lens of global transformations. By recounting a series of major international events, it explores the origins, evolution, and conclusion of the Cold War, and analyzes how the political, economic, and social systems of the major powers in both blocs shaped their mutual relations and the final contours of the Cold War order.

Going beyond the conventional East-West binary, the book shifts focus to Third World countries to assess how their developmental paths and domestic and foreign policies influenced the trajectory of the Cold War. It also delves into how lifestyles, cultural movements, and scientific and technological advancements during the Cold War became foundational forces reshaping global dynamics.

Ultimately, the book attempts to transcend the historical Cold War, shedding light on the so-called “new Cold War” of today and tracing the roots of current conflicts back to seeds planted during the original Cold War period.

As someone who lived through the Cold War era, the author draws from both theoretical insights and historical detail, transforming the Cold War into a series of vivid, human-centered stories. By connecting the experiences of ordinary people to the broader geopolitical shifts, the book offers both a memory rooted in fear and pain and a hopeful vision for a future free from “new Cold War” anxieties.

Author Biography

Wang Jisi is Professor at the School of International Studies, Peking University; Founding Director of the Institute of International and Strategic Studies, Peking University; and Boya Chair Professor Emeritus. He is also Honorary President of the Chinese Association for American Studies. His primary research areas include U.S. foreign policy, Chinese foreign policy, and Asia-Pacific security. His major works include The Ultimate Goal of World Politics, Great Power Strategy, and Great Power Relations.